Judge Meyers Presides Over April 17 Court Session

Judge Shawn D. Meyers of the 39th Judicial District of the Court of Common Pleas presided over a court session held at the Fulton County Courthouse on Tuesday, April 17.

 Donald Frank Ellis appeared in court last Tuesday for sentencing on one count each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Having been found guilty of all counts during a jury trial, Ellis, according to Fulton County District Attorney Travis Kendall, thinks there are things out there free for the taking. “I don’t think he gets it even today,” Kendall said.

Ellis responded he received a fair trial by a jury of his peers, but he failed to convince them. He said it was time to pay the piper. Meanwhile, Judge Meyers announced he was trying to determine if Ellis was just talking a good game. The recommendation for probation, the judge stated, was not strong enough given the circumstances as the case went beyond an inconvenience to the victims.

As a result, Ellis was sentenced to between 30 and 23 months in the Franklin County Prison. He will be paroled at completion of the minimum sentence and will also complete 40 hours community service.

 Levi G. Bisser waived arraignment proceedings held on one count each of the use or possession of drug paraphernalia and the purchase of alcohol by a minor. Bisser pleaded guilty to the use or possession of drug paraphernalia, which carries a maximum penalty of one year incarceration and a $2,500 fine.

He told the court that on May 28, 2011, state police found him in possession of a beer can that had been modified into a pipe to smoke marijuana. He will be sentenced at a later date.

 Jeremy Lee Brumbaugh was entered into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program on charges of driving under the influence. Brumbaugh will complete 12 months probation through the program and 30 hours of community service. His driving privileges were suspended for 30 days.

The district attorney told the court Brumbaugh was found slumped over the middle console of a Jeep Wrangler that was running with the lights on at around 3 a.m. on February 12. His blood alcohol content at the time of his arrest was .147 percent.

 Michael Jerry Schreiber waived arraignment proceedings and entered a notguilty plea to theft by unlawful taking. Schreiber, through his attorney Fulton County Public Defender Dwight Harvey, required a nonjury trial during the July trial term.

 Thomas Wayne Sterner Jr. appeared in court for arraignment on two counts of driving under the influence and three summary offenses. Sterner pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was sentenced to six months probation. He will pay a $300 fine, a monthly supervision fee, $50 to the Catastrophic Fund, $100 to the Substance Abuse Fund, $88 to Fulton County Medical Center and $10 to EMS.

 Ali June Washabaugh waived arraignment and entered a not-guilty plea to procuring drugs for self or other by fraud. Washabaugh will next appear in court for the July 10 call of the criminal trial list.

 Edward Scott was granted a continuance until July 10 call of the list on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment. Scott, the district attorney said, had missed the April call of the list after he was transferred to York County Jail without the county’s knowledge.